Fertility Coverage Protected For Same-Sex Couples

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Unmarried and same-sex couples will be ensured the same access to insurance coverage for fertility treatments as heterosexual couples under a bill Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law.

The governor’s office announced Tuesday that he had signed AB460 by Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano of San Francisco.

The bill clarifies the non-discrimination provision of an existing state law that requires health plans to offer coverage for fertility treatments, except for in vitro fertilization.

Despite that law, Ammiano says many same-sex couple have been denied the coverage. In praising Brown’s signature on his bill, Ammiano said fertility treatments are “for everybody’s benefit.”

The California Association of Health Plans, which represents insurers, says its initial concerns with the bill were addressed and it took no position on the final version.